Background: This study investigated the influence of exercise training on left ventricular (LV) function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a new index of cardiac function, the Tei index.
Methods and results: The study enrolled 53 consecutive patients (36 males, 17 females; mean age: 65+/-10 years) with AMI. Exercise training was performed for 6 months; peak VO2 and the Tei index were measured at the start of the cardiac rehabilitation program and 1, 3, and 6 months later. The peak VO2 improved from 14.3+/-3.3 to 18.5+/-5.2 ml.min -1.kg-1 after 6 months (p<0.01). Although there were no significant changes in LV ejection fraction over the 6 months, the Tei index improved from 0.50+/-0.18 to 0.41+/-0.19 (p<0.05). When the DeltaTei index was compared among the 3 groups classified by the Tei index at baseline, the values improved in the groups with high/slightly high values compared with the normal group.
Conclusion: Both cardiac function, as evaluated by the Tei index, and exercise capacity improved after exercise training in patients with AMI. The greater improvement was seen in the population with the higher value (lower cardiac function) according to this index.